This work reports the stability and solubility of nesquehonite in several salts (NaCl, NH 4 Cl, MgCl 2 , and KCl) over the temperature range of (15 to 35) °C. The needle-like nesquehonite used in this work was prepared by the reaction of analytical pure MgCl 2 with Na 2 CO 3 . The concentration investigated for all salts was up to 4 mol • dm -3 NaCl, 3.5 mol • dm -3 NH 4 Cl, 4 mol • dm -3 MgCl 2 , and 1.0 mol • dm -3 KCl at ambient temperature. The solubility of nesquehonite in pure water was found to decrease with temperature within the temperature range in which nesquehonite is the stable phase. In NaCl solutions, the solubility of nesquehonite initially increases to a maximum value and then decreases gradually with an increase of the common salt concentration. It was further found that the addition of MgCl 2 , NH 4 Cl, or KCl causes the solubility of nesquehonite to increase due apparently to complexation. XRD and SEM examination of the equilibrated solids showed that nesquehonite is stable in pure water up to 50 °C, but its stability region becomes smaller in concentrated brines.

Providing culturally competent care has been a growing concern for health care professionals in recent years. Being culturally competent means taking into account the culture of patients in order to provide high-quality services. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to better understand how oral illness was perceived by the largest visible minority group in Canada: Chinese immigrants. We conducted qualitative research based on in-depth interviews with twelve Chinese immigrants in Montreal, Canada. The participants had a high level of education and had lived in Canada for thirteen years or less. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analyses were then performed. Among the participants, traditional beliefs coexisted with scientific dental knowledge. On the one hand, the subjects had a fairly good understanding of dental caries in terms of etiology, process, prevention, and treatment. On the other hand, they held strong traditional beliefs concerning gingival swelling and bleeding, which had an influence on their attitudes toward dental care and professional services. Oral health care professionals should be informed about Chinese immigrants' oral health beliefs and the acculturation process in order to understand their patients better and provide culturally competent care.Dr. Dong is a graduate student,

The solubility and stability of nesquehonite (MgCO 3 • 3H 2 O) in mixed solutions (NaCl + MgCl 2 , NH 4 Cl + MgCl 2 , LiCl, and LiCl + MgCl 2 ) were measured by using a classic isothermal dissolution method over the temperature range of (298 to 308) K. The concentration investigated for all salts was up to 0.2 mol • dm -3 NaCl, 1.5 mol • dm -3 NH 4 Cl, 0.6 mol • dm -3 MgCl 2 , and 1.5 mol • dm -3 LiCl at ambient temperature. The solubility of MgCO 3 • 3H 2 O phases in all the cases investigated was found to increase with the temperature increment. The comparison of solubility in MgCl 2 solutions and NaCl + MgCl 2 , NH 4 Cl + MgCl 2 , and LiCl + MgCl 2 mixed solutions has been investigated. XRD and SEM examination of the equilibrated solids showed that nesquehonite in all cases is stable in the temperature range of (298 to 308) K.